Ku, Dennis

Abstract [en]

With the introduction of new technologies for the web like HTML5 and CSS3, new possibilities have emerged. An example of such is parallax scrolling which is based on the ‘parallax effect’. The parallax effect is the illusion of depth which is created by moving multiple layers in different speeds. This effect is commonly used in e.g. 2D games where you have a slow moving backgrounds relative to the character you play. While such an effect can certainly be appealing on a website, opinions differ. This paper examines the overall acceptance of parallax scrolling and how it is perceived in hedonic contexts such as infographics and storytelling.

The research was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings of the study indicate that parallax scrolling is generally well liked. It has shown its strengths in the aesthetic as a result of the illusion of depth. Another strong point of parallax scrolling is its entertaining value which makes content more fun and interesting by involving moving elements. However, in the study a website with parallax scrolling was not perceived as much better than a traditional website. While statistical significance in the perception was found, it can be argued that those differences were caused by a contrast effect. Further research is suggested by using a larger sample size.